MOTORISTS have been warned to expect delays on a busy Hampshire motorway after a major lorry fire.

Queues following the incident near Portsmouth have stretched at one point back onto the M27 as far as Whiteley on the eastbound carriageway.

The incident, which unfolded around 1.45pm, involves a lorry that is between the hard shoulder and lane one of the A27 flyover at the top of Eastern Road and caused a large plume of smoke to billow into the air.

The road was closed and traffic was being diverted onto the off-slip, around the roundabout, and back onto the A27 but one lane has now been opened so traffic should be easing, police say.

Firefighters were at the scene and the fire is now out and no-one has been seriously hurt.